Corey,
To my knowledge, there should be a very little amount of play in the first few degrees of travel with the gas pedal. Is yours worse than this? You should *try* and lube yours too. The gas pedal does go down easier and it's a nice feeling... don't ask why!? And if you figure out how to take off the washer reservoir, I'd appreciate it! I know there's one clip towards the back of the reservoir at the top... but I couldn't find anything else holding it down, though it was still held in place.

Say whaatt?

The washer reservoir is held down by a plastic nut AND the clip. Unscrew the nut, pull up, and set it off to the side. It does make the job somewhat easier without the reservoir. I usually pull each linkage piece off, clean it thoroughly and reassemble using MB Hydraulic Oil (if I remember, that was the recommended fluid on the M103 engine). ATF is about the same. It is not fun, especially the final piece that runs transversely (connecting to the throttle plate). I have various tools I use to pop off the linkage bits.

Vince,
Thanks, but I don't know where the nut is! I found the clip... but can't find the nut. Maybe I'm just blind! :confused:

David,

It should be near the left rear corner, about 50mm inboard from the outer edge of the reservoir. It should be a six-eared plastic nut about 25mm in diameter, with a stud attached. The stud screws into a captive nut on the wheel housing. If the nut isn't there, is there a hole? The part number of the reservoir on our car is: 202 869 00 20 HPO. It is a 5.1 L reservoir. One other thing that you may have figured out already, disconnect the level switch wiring at the connector and slip the cable out of it's guide along the front side of the reservoir. If your car doesn't have the nut, maybe you just need to pull up on it.

Southern_Son,

You work for a newspaper or something? Good job of selective editing :D, always gotta watch what and how you say things to a reporter ;) :) :p.

Yes, my light grease (not oil) tends to collect dirt, grit and gunk, especially since I live in a semi-desert region. So to keep from having all the crud in my ball sockets I opt to clean and relube them a little more often rather than wait for them to get caked up and sticky.

Hope that's a little clearer

Another MB problem is that if you do not lubricate the throttle return spring it can cut its way through holes that hold it in place!!
Check yours before it is too late!(my wife broke ours with her heavy right foot and the dealer kindly pointed out the potential problem )
Hamish